Although Sticky Dick has used his stint as Swansea’s first citizen to endear himself with the local press through a blend of bonhomie and bullshit, his latest publicity gimmick is set to backfire, according to critics.
Never short on self-importance or self-promotion, Lewis has temporarily morphed from Lord Mayor to Baron Hard-up by announcing the cancellation of the annual Mansion House evening traditionally held for councillors, chief officers and their guests.
The austerity move has clearly surprised council leader Chris Holley, who thought that it was his job to make that kind of corporate decision. He insists that the annual bash will go ahead – but only, it seems, if he can get enough support from his Lib Dem colleagues to be able to face off against the loud-mouthed LM.
The talk among admin staff is that a petulant Lewis decided to pull the plug on the freebie civic evening after learning that the majority of councillors would be boycotting his charity ball to be held next month. They claim that less than a handful have bought £45 tickets with no opposition councillors planning to attend.
As for saving money, the same sources reveal that the Right Worshipful One had no qualms about using public money to host a reception at the Mansion House a few weeks ago which was attended exclusively by staff & management of the South Wales Evening Post, Swansea Sound and the Western Mail. Councillors and council directors were also invited along to what is said to have been a most convivial media evening that included a three course buffet meal, table wine and a free bar.
2 Comments:
I see that someone on the EP website is asking if Lewis has blown the Mansion House budget on "personal" priorities. I think the Pakistan charity is a bit of joke considering the incident with the Bangladeshi official that got the arse into trouble the first time around.
I am told that very few councillors had accepted an invite to the Mansion House and an evening with the insufferable nurk.
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